Israel unmoved by threat to kill hostage

Press, 1 August 1989, Page 8

Israel unmoved by threat to kill hostage

NZPA-Reuter Jerusalem Israel is standing firm over its abduction of a Muslim cleric in Lebanon, and its politicians have refused to respond to threats by an Iranian-backed group that they will retaliate by killing an American hostage.

Israeli airborne commandos swooped on a South Lebanon village on Friday and captured Sheikh Abdel Karim Obeid, a leader of the Shi’ite Muslim pro-Iranian Hizbollah (Party of God), along with two of his aides.

An Iranian-backed group, Organisation of the Oppressed World, threatened to hang an American hostage, Colonel William Higgins, by 1200 G.M.T. (midnight New Zealand time) yesterday, if Israel did not set Sheikh Obeid free.

The White House responded by saying the kidnappers of American hostages in Lebanon would be held responsible for their safety. In Paris, a State Department

spokeswoman called the threat to kill Colonel Higgins an affront to the civilised world.

While awaiting Washington’s next move, Israel maintained its tough stance, refusing to respond to the threat.

The office of the Prime Minister, Mr Shamir, the Foreign Ministry and the Army all declined comment on the execution threat, which was issued in Beirut on Sunday.

In a rare moment of unity just before the threat was made, Israel’s coalition Cabinet praised the Army’s abduction of Sheikh Obeid, who is being interrogated by the military. The Foreign Minister, Moshe Arens, declined to answer reporters’ ques-

tions on the threat to hang Colonel Higgins. The Vice-Premier, Shimon Peres, would only say: “I didn’t see the statement and I wouldn’t react in haste. They have issued various statements that were not interpreted properly.” Colonel Higgins was kidnapped in Lebanon in February, 1988, while working for the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation.

Sheikh Obeid has been linked to his kidnapping and that of three Israeli soldiers in Lebanon. The death threat said: “The execution will be our first retaliation to the foolish Israeli aggression and to America’s support and justification, which reveals its complicity in

this crime.” Israeli security sources said Israel was in contact with Washington over how to respond, but would keep silent while the United States made the next move.

Iran, believed to be behind the threat, was using the United States to pressure Israel to free Sheikh Obeid, but Israeli authorities were unlikely to bow to the demands, they said.

In an apparent reference to Iran, the White House said: “We expect those who have influence with the hostage-holders to do everything possible to ensure that no harm comes to those hostages or other Americans.” In Iran, the Interior Minister, Ali Akbar

Mohtashemi, warned of reprisals against Israel and the United States. Israeli commentators said the Government was expected to try to exchange Sheikh Obeid, aged 36, for three soldiers who went missing in Lebanon and are thought to be held by pro-Iranian militants. A senior Hizbollah cleric, Sheikh Abbas Mussawi, ruled out a prisoner swap and said Israel would be attacked unless Sheikh Obeid was freed. Hizbollah is believed to hold some of the 22 foreigners, including 10 Americans and four Britons, missing and believed held in Lebanon. It has denied any links with hostage-taking.